LOCAL rugby players Fezokuhle Mbatha, Phendulani Buthelezi and Rynhardt Jonker have been included in the Cell C Sharks match day 23 to take on the Blue Bulls at Kings Park in Durban tonight (Friday) at 7 pm.

eSikhawini’s Mbatha will start in the number two jumper for the Durban-based franchise, in what is a must-win encounter for the Sharks.

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The Sharks have come off back-to-back losses in their Rainbow Cup preparation matches, having gone down to the Free State Cheetahs and Lions.

Mtubatuba’s Buthelezi will look to make an impact coming off the bench as a loose-forward, with Jonker in the number 22 jersey as a utility back.

Jonker made his senior debut against the Lions in the inside centre position and managed to set up a try with his first touch of the ball.

All three men will look to put up their hands and cement their spots in the squad ahead of the Rainbow Cup.

Springbok World Cup winning captain, Siya Kolisi, will make his debut for the Sharks tonight as he packs down on the side of the scrum in the number six jumper.

The Sharks have named a balanced side with experience and youth to face an in-form Bulls outfit. Discipline has let the Sharks down in their last two encounters, which has cost them dearly, so hopefully this aspect has been addressed this week.

Cell C Sharks

Starting XV – 1 Ox Nche, 2 Fezzo Mbatha, 3 Thomas du Toit, 4 Ruben van Heerden, 5 Emile van Heerden, 6 Siya Kolisi, 7 Henco Venter, 8 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 9 Jaden Hendrikse, 10 Boeta Chamberlain, 11 Yaw Penxe, 12 Marius Louw, 13 Lukhanyo Am (captain), 14 Sbu Nkosi, 15 Anthony Volmink. Substitutes – 16 Kerron van Vuuren, 17 Mzamo Majola, 18 John-Hubert Meyer, 19 JJ van der Mescht, 20 Phendulani Buthelezi, 21 Sanele Nohamba, 22 Rynhardt Jonker, 23 Aphelele Fassi.

Bulls

Starting XV – 1 Lizo Gqoboka, 2 Schalk Earsamus, 3 Marcel van der Merwe, 4 Jan Uys, 5 Janko Swanepoel, 6 Werner Gouws, 7 Tim Agaba, 8 Nizaam Carr (captain), 9 Zak Burger, 10 Morne Steyn, 11 Diego Appollis, 12 Dawid Kellerman, 13 Marnus Potgieter, 14 Madosh Tambwe, 15 Richard Kriel. Substitutes – 16 Janco Uys, 17 Jacques van Rooyen, 18 Mornay Smith, 19 Raynard Roets, 20 WJ Steenkamp, 21 Keagan Johannes, 22 Clinton Swart, 23 Jay-Cee Nel, 24 Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 25 Reinhardt Ludwig, 26 Bernard van der Linde, 27 Niel Beukes.

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